FA Cup: Poppies' joy at 'monster' Leeds tie
Poppies' boss Mark Cooper can't wait to welcome one of the 'monsters' of English football when Kettering Town take on Leeds United in the FA Cup.
The Poppies were handed the best possible reward for their heroic 1-0 first-round win at Coca-Cola League One side Hartlepool United on Saturday when they were given the plum draw of the second round.
Simon Grayson's Leeds, who are top of Coca-Cola League One by seven points, will travel to Rockingham Road on the weekend of November 28.
And Cooper has so many reasons to be happy, not least the fact his dad Terry is an Elland Road legend after making 250 appearances for them during the 1960s and 70s.
The Poppies boss said: "It's just great for our club.
"We played Fulham last season and that was amazing.
"But this is Leeds United and they are one of the monsters in the English game.
"I watched the draw and I would think there is a chance it will be one for the television cameras to show as a live game because not many others really stood out.
"They are the best side left in the competition and we have got the tie that every other non-League side would have wanted at this stage.
"I am really pleased for my dad as well.
"I am sure he will be over for it and it is bound to be a special day for him.
"The most important thing is that it is a fantastic tie for our club, our players and our fans.
"But we have a massive league game at Cambridge on Saturday and it will be up to me as a manager to ensure our lads are focused on that."
Cooper also hailed his players following Saturday's win.
"To go to Hartlepool and beat a side in the top half of league one takes some doing and in the second half I thought we did it comfortably," the Poppies boss said.
"I am just really proud of the players.
"Maybe, with the history we have got, some people expected us to come here and get some kind of result.
"But we had full respect for Hartlepool and we watched their last two matches to see if we could find a way of beating them.
"The players needed to work harder than them and I think they did and we kept it tight for 20 minutes to make sure we were in the game.
"They played well in the first half because we didn't secure the ball and kept on giving it back to them.
"We got it sorted out in the second half and I think it showed because we saw the game out without any major scares."
Cooper was full of praise for central defenders Exodus Geohaghon and Ian Roper and he picked out Geohaghon for his display, especially after Roper was forced off with a head injury after the two had collided in a moment of heroic defending.
"I thought our two centre-halves were magnificent," Cooper added.
"And it is the best I have seen Exodus play since he has been with us.
"If he maintains that standard then the world is his oyster."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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